Veteran St. Louis Journalist Ray Hartman Dies in Freak Accident
Ray Hartman, a well-known journalist from St. Louis, tragically lost his life on Thursday in a bizarre accident. This occurred when two tires detached from a tractor-trailer and struck the roof of his car.
The incident happened around 2 p.m. while Hartman, 73, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 64, not far from Interstate 270. He had just accelerated away from the truck in front of him when the tires flew off and hit his vehicle, as reported by local media.
Hartman was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a statement from his long-time friend and attorney, Andy Leonard.
“We confirmed that Ray was in the car when the tire impacted. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead right there,” Leonard mentioned in his statement.
He is survived by his wife, Kelly, and their two college-age children, Ben and Brielle.
“It’s just heartbreaking. He was loved deeply, and we will feel this loss profoundly,” Kelly Hartman told local news.
Hartman had been a key figure in St. Louis media for nearly forty years. He initially gained recognition in print journalism and later transitioned to television. He is particularly known for founding the Riverfront Times and St. Louis Magazine, and he spent nearly four decades on the PBS debate program Donnybrook, which he co-created in 1987.
Recently, he briefly stepped away from the media world to campaign for Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District in 2024. Reports indicate he won the Democratic primary but lost to the incumbent.
“It’s such a tragic loss,” said Charlie Brennan, the host of Donnybrook. “I feel he had much more to contribute—books to write, causes to support. It’s really disappointing that we won’t get to see that.”
Panelist Alvin Reed reflected on Hartman’s commitment to effecting change in St. Louis. “He truly cared about the City and aimed to make it better,” Reed emphasized.
Despite his stellar career, Hartman’s colleagues cherished him as a devoted husband and father first and foremost.
“I already miss him,” Reed expressed. “It feels surreal to be talking about Ray in the past tense. It’s hard to grasp.”
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident is ongoing.
